Vauxhall’s ‘reckless disregard for safety’

MPS’ blast over Zafira fires

VAUXHALL showed “a reckless disregard for safety” after a spate of fires in its Zafira cars, MPS said. The car maker “put drivers at risk” by not immediately investigating blazes in its Zafira B models, a Commons Transport Committee report found. MPS said Vauxhall was too quick to blame “improper and unauthorised” third-party repairs for the infernos. From 2013 to 2016, London Fire Brigade was called to 120 fires involving Zafiras. Vauxhall last year ordered a £50million recall of 238,000 Zafira Bs in the UK, blaming the air conditioning, which could overheat and cause fires. The committee’s report says Vauxhall was informed of the problem with fires in the Zafira B in 2015. Although the model was no longer on the market at the time, MPS say the firm showed “reck- less disregard for safety” by waiting till 2016 to recall cars already on the road. It has also been claimed the firm was aware of the issue as early as 2009. The report added that the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency should have acted faster and independent testing should have been carried out. Louise Ellman MP, committee chairman, said Vauxhall was “too slow to acknowledge drivers’ concerns, to begin an investigation, to address the causes and alert drivers of safety concerns. Drivers and their families were needlessly put at risk.” She added: “The current voluntary approach to recalls is not robust enough. The DVSA must be given enforcement powers to compel manufacturers to act.” Vauxhall has apologised and said it is working to compensate owners.

TOTAL RECALL A Zafira in flames